The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is founded. Author Esther Dyson became the first chairperson of the now non-profit organization, which was initially under the oversight of the U.S. Department of Commerce. In 2009, the Department of Commerce gave up its control over ICANN, which is responsible for maintaining the Domain Name System (DNS) on the Internet.

West Germany adopts the Deutsche Mark. This action replaced the East German Mark and helped complete the economic reunification part of the union between East and West Germany.

Vanguard 3 is launched into Earth's orbit. The geocentric satellite was launched into Earth's orbit by a Vanguard rocket, built by Glenn L. Martin Company, which is now known as Lockheed-Martin.

USSR joins the League of Nations. It was expelled just a few years later for its aggressive actions towards Finland.

Oscar II becomes King of Norway and Sweden. He succeeded his brother Charles XV and IV